Seven Blue Hen Student-Athletes Take Part in Vice President Joe Bidenís 1 is 2 Many PSA Campaign Against Dating Violence

Courtesy: Delaware Athletics
Release: 06/22/2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Thursday Vice President Joe Biden, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and White House Advisor on Violence Against Women Lynn Rosenthal hosted an event to launch a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) about dating violence as part of the Vice President’s 1 is 2 Many campaign. Due to the fact that young women today ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of violence at the hands of someone they know, the PSA’s target audience is men of this same age group. The PSA, which was produced by the White House, features professional athletes and other male role models who deliver the message that dating violence is unacceptable.

Joining the President and Vice President in the PSA, which will air this summer on the ESPN Networks, the Fox Sports Networks, MLB Network, and NFL Network, are Joe Torre, Major League Baseball Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations, and Manager of four World Series championship teams, David Beckham of the LA Galaxy, Eli Manning of the New York Giants, Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks, Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays, Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies, and ESPN correspondent Andy Katz.

Joining the Vice President and other Senior Administration officials on Thursday for the rollout of the PSA were Jimmy Rollins, David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays, who was there on behalf of his teammate Evan Longoria, and Andy Katz.

“Dating violence is a serious problem within our society today, and it was nice to see the Vice President shed light on the subject with the PSA,” said Giacchino. “It was also important for celebrities and student-athletes to get involved to spread the word, and meeting David Price and the Vice President afterward was a memorable experience.”

Last year alone, one in ten teens was hurt by someone they were dating. While in college, nearly one in five women will be the victim of a sexual assault. Because even one incident is too many, Vice President Biden launched the 1 is 2 Many initiative in September 2011. 1 is 2 Many uses technology and outreach to spread the message about reducing dating violence and sexual assualt among teens and young adults.

In September 2011, the Department of Justice announced the expansion of the National Dating Violence Helpline to be available around the clock by text, online chat, or phone, so that teens and young adults can reach out in the way they feel most comfortable.

“It was very exciting to meet the Vice President, and the statistic concerning nearly one in five college students being abused was alarming,” said Lawrence. “The Vice President wants young males to have role models to look up to, and it was important to see the PSA makes the problem seem more real.”